Cromwell students start taking more AP classes

CROMWELL -- Students at Cromwell High School are taking advantage of a program that will give them a much needed head-start when they enter college, as enrollment in the highly successful Advanced Placement Program has almost doubled from last year.

JIM HICKEY

Published 12:00 am, Monday, October 14, 2002

"We are very pleased that children are taking advantage of this program and getting a head start on their college career," said Paula Talty, the director of curriculum and instruction. "We had hoped that students would show interest in (the Advanced Placement) program, but participation this year is even better than we could have expected."

Although it is still early in the school year, and there is a chance some students will drop, 121 students have enrolled in the AP classes this year, compared with 62 students that enrolled at the end of last year.

"Enrolling in these classes is up to the students. The classes certainly are not required, so it's great to see so much interest," said Supt. Mark Cohan. "We have very smart students, that are eager to learn. A lot of the students that enroll in these courses really want the challenge of taking a college-level course."

Students that take the AP classes are graded on a five-point system. Those that score a three or better, are eligible to earn college level credits that will count toward their college degree. The most popular class this year is AP History, which has an enrollment of 27 students. The second most popular class is AP English 11, just added this year, which is similar to the college-level English 101 that college freshmen almost universally are required to take.

By getting a course like AP English 11 out of the way in high school, students are free to take alternative courses when they reach college, such as electives or courses in their major. According to Talty, the classes also allow students to become familiar with a more demanding level of courses, and better prepare students for the overall college experience.

"In addition to having some college requirements already out of the way, students can hit the group running once they enter college," said Talty. "It also gives them more time to concentrate on their majors ..or choosing a major if they have yet to decide."

Nine classes are being offered, including the new additions of AP English 11, and sections for AP French and Spanish. School officials hope to add additional AP courses in the coming years, especially if interest in the program continues to increase.

According to the State Department of Education Web site, Connecticut, as a whole, is ahead of the rest of the country in terms of participation in the AP program. More than 97 percent of all of the state's high schools offer AP classes, as opposed to 57.3 percent nationally, and 71 percent of all Connecticut students score a 3 or higher, compared with 62 percent nationally.

The mean grade in Connecticut for AP testing is a 3.27, according to the State Department of Education.